Ski Binding System

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to a binding ( 120 ), and in particular to a ski binding ( 120 ), wherein the binding ( 120 ) is directly contacting the ski ( 102 ), but is still capable of sliding longitudinally on the ski ( 102 ) to reduce stiffness. The intimate contact of the binding ( 120 ) with the ski ( 102 ) allows for optimum transfer of power between the ski ( 102 ) and the skier

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/742,647, filed Dec. 6, 2005, the benefit of which is hereby claimedunder 35 U.S.C. § 119.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to sports equipment, and specifically,to a binding system for skis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ski bindings are used to connect a ski boot to a ski. A conventional skibinding has a forward engagement member and a rear engagement memberconnected to one another by a rigid platform against which the bootrests. The platform is typically connected to the ski via mechanicalfasteners, such as screws or bolts, on the forward and rear portions ofthe ski so that the binding is fixed rigidly to the ski. A ski boot willtypically have a forward member that engages with the correspondingforward member of the binding system. The ski boot will also have a rearmember that engages the corresponding rear member of the ski binding.The skier plants the forward portion of the boot into the forward memberof the binding, and places his or her weight on the heel of the boot toclasp with the rear member of the binding. The forward and rear membersof the binding system are rigidly fixed to the ski via the platform soas not to move forwards and backwards while skiing. As forces compel theski to flex or bend, the rigid binding system prevents the ski frombending in the area covered by the ski binding. The conventional bindingsystem, therefore, opposes the natural tendency of the ski to bend, andcreates stiffness in the ski, which defeats a design purpose of the ski.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a binding system,wherein the binding is directly contacting the ski surface, but is stillcapable of sliding longitudinally on the ski to reduce stiffness betweenthe boot and the binding during bending of the ski. The intimate contactof the binding with a side wall of a ski and/or the top of the skisurface allows for optimum transfer of power between the ski and theskier. As the ski bends, portions of the binding system are allowed toslide in relation to the ski so as to not interfere with the bending ofthe ski. The ski binding in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention, therefore, reduces stiffness, as compared to theconventional binding systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of a cross section of a ski anda binding system in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of a ski with brackets and abinding with sliding shoes that fit in the brackets in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of a cross-section of a ski withbrackets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of a ski binding system 100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The ski bindingsystem 100 comprises a ski binding portion 120 that receives a boot andbrackets 104 on the ski 102 to which the binding is attached. Thebinding system 100 is for binding or holding the ski binding portion 120to the ski 102 and is provided with means for holding the ski binding120 to the ski 102 that allows the ski 102 to flex or bend in the areaof the ski binding 120 and also beneath the ski binding 120 and forfurther transferring the lateral forces from the ski binding 120 to theski 102. The ski binding system 100 includes at least one bracket 104that projects from the upper surface of the ski 102. In one embodiment,the bracket 104 has a generally upright standing beam 122 alignedlengthwise on the ski 102 with an overhanging ledge 124 that accepts astructure beneath the ledge 124. In the particular embodiment shown, theledge 124 is facing outward. The ski 102 has a second bracket 104 a onthe opposite side of the centerline of the ski 104, wherein the ledge124 a faces in the opposite direction as the ledge 124. Thus, the beam122 may prevent side to side or lateral movement, and the ledge 124 mayprevent upward or vertical movement. A raised sidewall 112 is providedadjacent to the bracket 104 between the bracket 104 and an upper edge ofthe ski 104. The sidewall 112 a is adjacent to bracket 104 a. Thesidewalls 112 and 112 a rise above the surface of the ski 102. Thus, thespace between the brackets 104 and 104 a and the corresponding sidewalls112 and 112 a define channels therebetween for receiving sliding shoes106 and 106 a that allows movement of the sliding shoes 106 and 106 alengthwise along the ski 102, but are prevented from moving side to sideor vertically. The sliding shoes 106 and 106 a are attached to thebinding portion 120 that receives and holds the ski boot. The slidingshoes 106 and 106 a have block-shaped sections 107 and 107 a that fitwithin the channels created by the respective brackets 104, 104 a andsidewalls 112, 112 a. The sliding shoes 106 and 106 a may not extend toor touch against the standing beams of the brackets 104 and 104 a, sothat any lateral force, such as any force compelling the binding 120 tothe outside, is borne by the sides of the sliding shoes 106 or 106 ahitting, abutting or touching against the sidewalls 112 or 112 a.Similarly, the sliding shoes 106 and 106 a may not touch the narrowedges of the ledges 124 and 124 a so that the ledges 124 and 124 a maynot bear a great majority of the side forces. The brackets 104 and 104 aprimarily bear the upward or vertical forces, while the sidewalls 112and 112 a bear all or the majority of the side forces for the ski 102.The shoes 106 and 106 a primarily bear the majority of the upward orvertical forces and the side or lateral forces for the binding portion120. Although one embodiment of a bracket has been illustrated, it is tobe appreciated, that brackets having other configurations may beprovided as well. For example, another embodiment is a rail on thecenterline of the ski having a beam lengthwise along the ski and havingtwo ledges that project laterally to either side of the centerline fromthe top of the beam to form a “T” member.

The sliding shoes 106 and 106 a are included in the binding system 100,which is not shown for clarity and brevity. The sliding shoes 106 and106 a have a block-shaped section 107 and 107 a that engages the channelbetween the brackets 104, 104 a and the sidewalls 112, 112 a at the topsurface of the ski 102. In this manner, the sliding shoes 106, 106 a arecaptured between the respective sidewall 112 or 112 a and the bracket104 or 104 a. As can be appreciated, the sliding shoes 106 and 106 amake direct contact with the ski 102 either through the sidewalls 112,112 a the top layer 108, or both. This arrangement providesinsubstantial lateral and medial side to side movement of the slidingshoes 106 and 106 a and consequently the ski binding 120 because ofdirect contact of the binding system via the sliding shoes 106, 106 awith the sidewalls 112 and 112 a, but provides longitudinal lengthwisemovement forwards and backwards of the sliding shoes 106 and 106 a inrelation to the ski 102, and therefore, the attachment transfers powerfrom the brackets 106, 106 a to the ski 102, via the brackets 104, 104 aand the sidewalls 112 and 112 a. Further, the underside of the ledges124 and 124 a of brackets 104 and 104 a are engaged with the top side ofthe block-shaped sections 107 and 107 a to prevent insubstantialvertical movement between the binding system 100 and the ski 102. Theinner surface of sidewall 112 abuts against the outer surface ofblock-shaped section 107 of sliding shoe 106 to provide direct contactand efficient power transfer from the skier to the ski 102. Similarly,the inner surface of the sidewall 112 a abuts against the outer surfaceof the block-shaped section 107 of sliding shoe 106 a. However, otherpower transfer structures besides a sidewalls 112 and 112 a can beprovided, such as longitudinal channels, rails or ribs along the medial,lateral or centerline of the ski 102. Additionally, because theinterlocking, sliding portions of the brackets 104, 104 a and thesliding shoes 106, 106 a allow movement lengthwise, the ski binding 120is capable of sliding, at least partially, at one or both ends, when theski bends allowing longitudinal movement in a forwards and backwardsdirection during skiing. Stops can be provided that prevent the slidingshoes 106 and 106 a from completely disengaging from the brackets 104and 104 a when run out to the very end. Further, the sliding shoes 106and 106 a can be temporarily affixed at one position on the ski 102 andmay be adjustable by placing the stops in one of a plurality ofadjustment holes. One location of the binding system can be rigidlyfixed to the ski 102, so that the remainder of the binding is free toslide. For example, the binding system 100 can be affixed to the ski 102at the heel or rear portion. The toe or front portion of the binding 100is then free to slide as the ski 102 flexes and bends, thus, reducingthe stiffness of the ski in comparison to the conventional ski binding.Alternatively, the toe or front portion of the binding system can befixed to the ski, while the heel or rear portion of the binding systemis allowed to slide lengthwise. Such total amount of sliding movementcan be designed to have a travel range of about 5 to about 10 mm, orabout 6 to about 9 mm, or about 7 to about 8 mm. However, otherembodiments can have travel limits outside of these ranges. Generally,the more stiff a ski is, the less sliding travel is needed. Oneembodiment of a stop device can be a pin that blocks the sliding shoes106 from moving forwards or backwards in relation to the length of theski 102. Such pins can be spring activated to remain in a lockedposition, and then, be unlocked by a skier to allow the skier to adjustthe position of the binding system in relation to the ski. Suchadjustments are advantageous when, for example, after completing aparticular ski course, the skier may decide that the binding system istoo far forwards or backwards for the course, and then, can easilyrelocate the binding system in relation to the ski for improvedperformance on the course.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of the ski 102 including aplurality of brackets 104 and the sidewall 112 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The ski 102 includes two pairs offorward brackets 104 at about the midpoint the length of the ski 102 andtwo pairs of rear brackets 104 at about one quarter from the end of theski 102. There is a lateral bracket 104 and a medial bracket 104comprising each pair. However, fewer or more brackets may be used. Asidewall 112 is provided adjacent to both sides of each pair of brackets104. Sidewalls 112 function to transfer loads from the binding to theski 102 as described above.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of a cross section of the ski102 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The ski102 has been cut to show the details of the attachment of the bindingsystem 100 to the ski 102, and, in particular, the attachment of thebracket 104 to the ski 102. In one embodiment, a single piece of metalcomprises both lateral 104 and medial 104 a brackets. A cross member 110that lies beneath the top surface of the ski 102 connects the lateralbracket 104 to the medial bracket 104 a. In one embodiment, the brackets104 and 104 a are attached to the ski 102 by overlaying a section of thecross member 110 with resin and/or fabric 108 that forms the top layerof the ski 102. The ski 102 can be constructed having a core, areinforcement layer, and one or more top sheets. Bracket and slidingshoe materials can include metals, rigid plastics, laminates, carbonfiber composites, resin composites, and the like.

A series of discrete brackets 104 can be provided along the length ofthe ski 102, so that several discrete brackets 104 can be placed alongthe length of the ski 102. Alternatively, one continuous rail can beused in place of a series of discrete brackets 104. One bracket 104 canbe located on the lateral or medial side of the centerline of the ski102, and a second bracket 104 a can be placed on the opposite side ofthe centerline and facing opposite to the first bracket 104. In thefollowing description, a representative bracket 104 will be describedfor brevity. It being understood that other brackets have similarstructure, but may be placed in the opposite direction depending onwhich side of the centerline the brackets are located. In oneembodiment, the brackets 104 have a substantially upright long beam 122that extends from the top layer 108 of ski 102. The upright long beam122 is substantially perpendicular (when viewed end on) to the top layer108. The upright beam 122 is bent at a substantially right angle to theupright beam forming the ledge 124, so as to define a channel 126beneath the ledge 124 so that a corresponding member can slide forwardsand backwards within the channel 126. In one embodiment, the ski 102 isprovided with two ledges that raised a small amount above the uppersurface of the ski 102 and the ledges face outward. In anotherembodiment, the ledges may be facing inward (i.e., toward the centerlineof the ski 102). Alternatively, in another embodiment as describedabove, a single rail can be used that can be located, for example, atthe centerline of the ski, such that the single beam has both lateraland medial ledges. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the brackets 104are connected and rigidly attached to the ski 102 via the cross member110 that spans the medial and lateral brackets. The cross member 110 isembedded within the top layer 108 of the ski 102. The top layer 108 canbe woven or non-woven fiber-reinforced glass or a plastic, and resin.One method of attaching the brackets 104 and 104 a is through the use oftechnology known under the designation “MOD.” This technology isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,699, Feb. 8, 2005; U.S. Pat. No.6,612,605, Sep. 2, 2003; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,529, Feb. 18, 2003.Alternatively, other methods of connecting brackets 104 to ski 102 canbe employed, for example, mechanical fasteners, such as screws, pins,and rivets.

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems for holding a ski bindingto a ski including means for holding the ski binding to the ski and fortransferring lateral forces from the binding to the ski while allowingthe ski to flex or bend in the area of the ski binding.

In a first embodiment, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces comprises one or more brackets on the upper surface ofthe ski and shoes that fit into the brackets on the lower surface of theski binding.

In a second embodiment, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces comprises a bracket on the upper surface of the ski and ashoe on the lower surface of the ski binding, wherein the bracket andshoe have ledges that slide relative to each other.

In a third embodiment, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces comprises a first and second bracket on the upper surfaceof the ski and a first and second shoe on the lower surface of the skibinding, wherein the first bracket is located on one side of thecenterline of the ski and the second bracket is located on the oppositeside of the centerline of the ski, and the first shoe is located on oneside of the centerline of the ski binding and the second shoe is locatedon the opposite side of the centerline of the ski.

In a fourth embodiment, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces comprises a first bracket and a second bracket on theupper surface of the ski and a first shoe and a second shoe on the lowersurface of the ski binding at one end of the binding, wherein the firstand second brackets engage, respectively, with the first and secondshoes to prevent movement vertically and laterally and allow the ski tomove lengthwise at least on one end of the ski binding.

In a fifth embodiment, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces comprises a first bracket and a second bracket on theupper surface of the ski and a first shoe and a second shoe on the lowersurface of the ski binding, wherein the first and second bracketsengage, respectively, with the first and second shoes so that the skibinding is constrained from movement in both the vertical and lateraldirection and is free to move lengthwise to allow the ski to bend orflex beneath the ski binding.

In a sixth embodiment, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces comprises a first bracket and a second bracket on theupper surface of the ski and a first shoe and a second shoe on the lowersurface of the ski binding, wherein the first and second bracketsengage, respectively, with the first and second shoes so that the skibinding is constrained from vertical and lateral movement and is free tomove lengthwise, wherein the brackets comprise an upright standing beamand a ledge connected lengthwise to the standing beam to allowlengthwise sliding movement.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include at least one shoe slidingly receivedwithin a bracket or rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoe transferslateral forces to the ski by hitting or touching against a portion ofthe ski.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include at least one shoe slidingly receivedwithin a bracket or rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoe transferslateral forces to the ski by abutting against a raised wall of the ski.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include a portion of the ski binding makingsliding contact with a portion of the ski to provide for the transfer oflateral forces from the binding to the ski.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include a shoe on the ski binding that slideswithin a bracket or rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoe resiststhe lateral and vertical forces.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include the front end of the ski bindingbeing fixed relative to the ski and the rear end of the binding beingfree to move lengthwise relative to the ski.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include the rear end of the ski binding beingfixed relative to the ski and the front end of the binding being free tomove lengthwise relative to the ski.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include the ski being free to flex in thearea beneath the ski binding.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include one end of the ski binding beingfixed relative to the ski, and the other end of the binding being freeto travel so that the ski is free to bend or flex in the area of the skibinding.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include stop means for stopping movement ofthe ski binding at a predetermined position.

In the embodiments above, the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces may further include the position of the ski binding beingadjustable on the ski.

In another aspect, a ski is characterized in that it includes any one ofthe ski binding systems described above. A ski and binding combinationincludes a ski; a bracket attached to the upper surface of the ski,wherein the ski has a sidewall adjacent to the bracket to define alengthwise channel between the bracket and the sidewall; a binding; anda shoe connected to the binding, wherein the shoe fits between thebracket and the sidewall in a sliding engagement so that the shoe isprevented from lifting and the shoe side hits or abuts against thesidewall to transfer lateral forces from the binding to the ski. A skiand binding combination can include a first and a second bracket,wherein the first bracket is on one side of the lengthwise centerline ofthe ski, and the second bracket is on the opposite side of thecenterline of the ski. The ski can include a first and second sidewalladjacent to the first and second brackets and the binding includes afirst and a second shoe that slidingly engage the first and the secondbracket, respectively, between the brackets and the sidewalls to preventthe binding from lifting and to transfer lateral forces from the bindingto the ski and to allow the ski to flex or bend in the area of thebinding.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be appreciated that various changes can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A system for holding a ski binding to a ski, comprising means forholding the ski binding to the ski and for transferring lateral forcesfrom the binding to the ski while allowing the ski to flex or bend inthe area of the ski binding, wherein one end of the ski binding is fixedrelative to the ski and the other end of the binding is free to travelso that the ski is free to flex in the area of the ski binding.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the means for holding and for transferringlateral forces comprises one or more brackets on the upper surface ofthe ski and shoes that fit into the brackets on the lower surface of theski binding.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for holding andfor transferring lateral forces comprises a bracket on the upper surfaceof the ski and a shoe on the lower surface of the ski binding, whereinthe bracket and shoe have ledges that slide relative to each other. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the means for holding and fortransferring lateral forces comprises a first and second bracket on theupper surface of the ski and a first and second shoe on the lowersurface of the ski binding, wherein the first bracket is located on oneside of the centerline of the ski and the second bracket is located onthe opposite side of the centerline of the ski, and the first shoe islocated on one side of the centerline of the ski binding and the secondshoe is located on the opposite side of the centerline of the ski. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein the means for holding and fortransferring lateral forces comprises a first bracket and a secondbracket on the upper surface of the ski and a first shoe and a secondshoe on the lower surface of the ski binding at one end of the binding,wherein the first and second brackets engage, respectively, with thefirst and second shoes to prevent movement vertically and laterally andallow the ski to move lengthwise at least on one end of the ski binding.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for holding and fortransferring lateral forces comprises a first bracket and a secondbracket on the upper surface of the ski and a first shoe and a secondshoe on the lower surface of the ski binding, wherein the first andsecond brackets engage, respectively, with the first and second shoes sothat the ski binding is constrained from movement in both the verticaland lateral direction and is free to move lengthwise to allow the ski tobend or flex beneath the ski binding.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe means for holding and for transferring lateral forces comprises afirst bracket and a second bracket on the upper surface of the ski and afirst shoe and a second shoe on the lower surface of the ski binding,wherein the first and second brackets engage, respectively, with thefirst and second shoes so that the ski binding is constrained fromvertical and lateral movement and is free to move lengthwise, whereinthe brackets comprise an upright standing beam and a ledge connectedlengthwise to the standing beam to allow lengthwise sliding movement. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the means for holding and fortransferring lateral forces comprises at least one shoe slidinglyreceived within a bracket or rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoetransfers lateral forces to the ski by abutting against a portion of theski.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for holding and fortransferring lateral forces comprises at least one shoe slidinglyreceived within a bracket or rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoetransfers lateral forces to the ski by abutting against a raised wall ofthe ski.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the ski bindingmakes sliding contact with a portion of the ski to provide for thetransfer of lateral forces from the binding to the ski.
 11. The systemof claim 1, wherein the means for holding and for transferring lateralforces comprises a shoe on the ski binding that slides within a bracketor rail affixed to the ski, wherein the shoe resists the lateral andvertical forces.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the front end of theski binding is fixed relative to the ski and the rear end of the bindingis free to move lengthwise relative to the ski.
 13. The system of claim1, wherein the rear end of the ski binding is fixed relative to the skiand the front end of the binding is free to move lengthwise relative tothe ski.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the ski is free to flex inthe area beneath the ski binding.
 15. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising stop means for stopping movement of the ski binding at apredetermined position.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the positionof the ski binding is adjustable on the ski.
 17. A ski comprising thesystem of claim
 1. 18. A ski and binding combination comprising: (a) aski; (b) a bracket attached to the upper surface of the ski, wherein theski has a sidewall adjacent to the bracket to define a lengthwisechannel between the bracket and the sidewall; and (c) a binding having asliding shoe, wherein the shoe fits in the channel between the bracketand the sidewall in a sliding engagement so that the shoe is preventedfrom lifting and the shoe side hits or abuts against the sidewall totransfer lateral forces from the binding to the ski, wherein one end ofthe binding is fixed relative to the ski, and the other end of thebinding is free to travel so that the ski is free to flex in the area ofthe binding.
 19. The ski and binding combination of claim 18, whereinthe ski includes a first and a second bracket, wherein the first bracketis on one side of the lengthwise centerline of the ski, and the secondbracket is on the opposite side of the centerline of the ski, the skiincludes a first and second sidewall adjacent to the first and secondbrackets and the binding includes a first and a second shoe thatslidingly engage the first and the second bracket, respectively, betweenthe brackets and the sidewalls to prevent the binding from lifting andto transfer lateral forces om the binding to the ski and to allow theski to flex or bend in the area of the binding.